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Q: Does Beijing have any art districts that mostly full of crap?
You walk around 'Art dsitricts' in this city and it is mostly full of crap. And galleries look like they've never had a curator in their life. Why is this? And where did all the good art go?
8 years 30 weeks ago in Arts & Entertainment - Beijing
I think Beijing is somewhat culture-less compared to the East Coast, Southern provinces and Western provinces.
In parts of China without ethnic minority influence or a history of foreign occupation, art tends to mean the mass-replication of a very limited range of traditional art (especially the sort that heavily features mountains and bamboo).
Culture is something that is fluid and ever-expanding --- If it doesn't absorb new mediums and subject matter, it becomes stagnant. Unfortunately, in the Chinese worldview "culture" is something that was created in the past, and which is rigidly defined and protected. I don't think modern art has any place in what China considers to be "culture".
DrMonkey:
Hum, for once, allow me to disagree, I think you are widely speculating. From what I've seen, there are artists willing to experiment and try new things in China. Yes, they don't get the spotlights, but they have opportunities to show their work. I've seen a couple of expositions (at the Suzhou Cultural Center) with paintings, photomontage, video installations, etc. and it was just great. Actually, at least a good half of the works exposed were very insightful, critical views on modern China, with topics like greed, vulgarity, pollution, the condition of women, the education of kids, etc.
Samsara:
I largely agree with that, DrMonkey.
I've no doubt that art-as-commentary is alive and well (though still largely hidden), due to an increase in personal freedom and increased perception of social problems (greed, vulgarity, pollution, the condition of women, education of kids...).
I found a book the other day in Chengdu about the history of art in China. It really opened my eyes to the diversity (particularly considering how little is on display). I didn't buy it because it cost almost 2000 RMB, but I'm regretting it now.
I currently live in Central China, where people are less culturally-inclined and more greedy than anywhere else. I stand by my opinion that the general perception of art and culture in China is a narrow and restrictive one. Most of my friends in Australia were creative and all of them receptive. Of the Chinese people I associate with now, one of them fits that description.
That said, I can be a bit of a wanker.
I once read that Beijing had a thriving rock music scene... I live in Suzhou, so I can't confirm, anybody have an idea about this ?
